Address At The Inauguration Of Computer Learning Centre Of The SEWA

RURAL PROSPERITY : CHALLENGES

I am delighted to inaugurate the Computer Learning Centre of the Self Employed Women's Association of Ahmedabad. The concept of training rural women in hi-tech areas particularly computers and machinery is indeed very important. I am happy to know the various initiatives of SEWA, which is the largest women's union spread over seven states. I appreciate the contributions of SEWA for empowering the rural women.

I am happy to be in the midst of self employed women with the leadership of SEWA, a movement inspired by Gandhian thinking. This environment reminds me about my homeland Rameswaram Island. It was in 1940s, I have witnessed in many houses, palm leaf basket making was done. This activity was supposed to be an additional unstructured small-scale business for women. Each day, a trader used to pay and collect all the finished products from these craftspeople.

Also, during my young days at Rameswaram, I have seen, many houses were involved in sea shells craftswork. They used to get these shells from the sea, clean it with acid and do etching. These come out in beautiful shapes and wonderful art work. The craftswork and handicrafts, what I have seen in Ramanathapuram district and many other parts of our country should be nurtured with value addition. Today, one of the major problems is how to market handicrafts with value addition, how to integrate multi departments and provide assistance in an integrated way in a mission mode. It should also be noted that these days eco-friendly environment through biodegradable plastics are insisted. But it will take some time. SEWA can also give thrust to replace plastics by natural raw material products in a competitive mode using our rural craftsworks. Social organizations, governmental departments and banks need to give technological and commercial assistance at this juncture.

Knowledge powered rural complex

The crafts products from this traditional knowledge are of constant attack from urban industrial and multinational products (e.g. palm leaf, coir and rubber products versus plastic products). The traditional knowledge is in isolation in rural environment. This traditional knowledge has to be integrated with technology with value addition and pro-active co-operative societies to empower craftspeople and artisans, making avenues for direct marketing/selling. Instead of craftspeople coming to urban marketing centres, the reverse phenomena have to take place. How is it possible? Knowledge powered village complex has to be generated in numbers in every State. That means, 20-30 villages linked through a circular road (10x6 kms) with highways connectivity and electronically connected and also continuous functional transport system. In the periphery, there can be schools, primary health centres, craftspeople working & training centres, silos for storage of products and markets for promoting products of craftspeople, cottage industries and Self Help Groups. This knowledge powered village complex will also have markets attracting urban business.

Empowerment

When the child is empowered by the parents, at various phases of growth, the child transforms into a responsible citizen. When the teacher is empowered with knowledge and experience, good young human beings with value systems take a shape. When individual or a tem is empowered with technology, transformation to higher potential for achievement, is certain. When the leader of any institution empowers his or her people, leaders are born who can change the nation in multiple areas. The Indian history has witnessed this. When the political leaders of the nation empower the people through visionary policies, the prosperity of the nation is assured. Second vision for the nation is, transforming developing India into developed India. It should echo in the Parliament, industrial houses, academic institutions and R&D labs and reach people o all the parts of India. I am delighted to study the SEWA mission particularly empowering the women. Women empowerment is indeed empowering the family. Empowering the family is indeed the foundation for employment potential. State development leads to national development.

Best wishes for the SEWA movement.